Vehicle-mounted air conditioning system

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle-mounted air conditioning system. The vehicle-mounted air conditioning system (10) is provided with: one or more light emitting bodies (22) for lighting, which are provided on at least one of a driver's seat door (30), a passenger's seat door (32), and an instrument panel center trim assembly (34); a lighting controller (20) for controlling one or more lighting illuminants, the lighting controller changing a set temperature to a target temperature (T *) when the set temperature (Ts) stored in the memory differs from the target temperature (T *) of the air conditioner, and the lighting controller (20) controlling the lighting illuminants (20) when the set temperature (Ts) and the target temperature (T *) of the air conditioner differ from each other. The decorative lighting controller turns on the one or more decorative lighting light-emitting bodies in a first color when a cabin temperature (Td) is lower than a currently stored set temperature by a predetermined value or more, and turns on the one or more decorative lighting light-emitting bodies in a second color when the cabin temperature is higher than the set temperature by a predetermined value or more. The one or more lighting illuminants are turned on in a second color different from the first color.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present specification discloses a vehicle air conditioning system for performing air conditioning on a vehicle compartment. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle air conditioning system is a system that operates the air conditioning device so that the vehicle cabin temperature reaches the target temperature specified by the user. In the air conditioning system, the air conditioning state is expressed by light. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning device that changes the light color of a lighting device that illuminates the air outlet according to the temperature of the temperature-controlled air blown out from the air outlet.

[0003] Prior Art Literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-090821 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 merely changes the light color according to the temperature of the temperature-controlled air, and does not monitor the difference between the target temperature and the cabin temperature. Therefore, in the technology of Patent Document 1, the user cannot intuitively grasp the difference between the cabin temperature and the target temperature.

[0008] Therefore, this specification discloses a vehicle air conditioning system that enables a user to intuitively grasp the difference between a vehicle cabin temperature and a target temperature.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] The vehicle air conditioning system disclosed in the present specification is characterized in that it comprises: an air conditioning device, which performs air conditioning on a vehicle cabin; an air conditioning controller, which controls the air conditioning device so that the vehicle cabin temperature becomes a target temperature; one or more lighting light-emitting bodies, which are arranged on at least one of a driver's door, a front passenger door, and a dashboard center interior component; a lighting controller, which controls the one or more lighting light-emitting bodies, the air conditioning controller periodically or irregularly notifies the lighting controller of the target temperature, the lighting controller changes the set temperature to the target temperature when the set temperature stored in the memory is different from the notified target temperature, and the lighting controller, when the air conditioning device is performing air conditioning, when the vehicle cabin temperature is lower than the currently stored set temperature by more than a predetermined value, causes the one or more lighting light-emitting bodies to light up in a first color, and when the vehicle cabin temperature is higher than the set temperature by more than a predetermined value, causes the one or more lighting light-emitting bodies to light up in a second color different from the first color.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, since the lighting light emitter lights up with a color corresponding to the difference between the set temperature and the vehicle cabin temperature, the user can intuitively understand the difference between the vehicle cabin temperature and the target temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A block diagram showing the structure of a vehicle air conditioning system.

[0014] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the carriage.

[0015] Figure 3 The present invention is a flow chart showing the control process of a lighting controller.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of changes in the lighting state of the lighting light-emitting body during heating operation.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of changes in the lighting state of the lighting body during cooling operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle air conditioning system 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the air conditioning system 10. In addition, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the carriage.

[0019] The air conditioning device 12 is a device for adjusting the temperature of the vehicle cabin. The air conditioning device 12 adjusts the temperature of the air, for example, according to the instructions of the air conditioning controller 18, and blows the temperature-adjusted air into the vehicle cabin. In order to adjust the temperature of the air, the air conditioning device 12 has, for example, a heater, a heat pump circuit, a blower, etc. In addition, the operation of the air conditioning device 12 can also be set to be able to control each area of ​​the vehicle cabin independently from each other. For example, the air conditioning in the driver's seat area can be turned on and the air conditioning in the passenger seat area can be turned off. In addition, different target temperatures T* can also be set in the driver's seat area and the passenger seat area.

[0020] The input device 14 is a device for accepting instructions from the user. The input device 14 includes, for example, at least one of a mechanical switch (such as a push-type switch, a rotary switch, etc.), a touch panel, and a microphone. The user operates the input device 14 to input instructions related to the air conditioner. For example, the user operates the input device 14 to instruct on / off of the air conditioner, the target temperature T* of the air conditioner, on / off of the air conditioner-linked lighting control described later, etc. The user's instructions input via the input device 14 are output to the air conditioner controller 18. In addition, when the air conditioner 12 can control each area of ​​the vehicle compartment independently from each other, instructions related to the air conditioner can also be performed separately for each area of ​​the vehicle compartment. In such a case, one input device 14 can also be provided for each area of ​​the vehicle compartment.

[0021] The temperature sensor 16 detects the temperature in the vehicle cabin. Hereinafter, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 is referred to as the "vehicle cabin temperature Td". The temperature sensor 16 is not limited to one, and multiple temperature sensors 16 may be provided. The vehicle cabin temperature Td obtained by the temperature sensor 16 is output to the air conditioning controller 18 and the lighting controller 20.

[0022] The air conditioning controller 18 controls the air conditioning device 12. The air conditioning controller 18 is physically a computer having a processor and a memory. The air conditioning device 12 controls the operation of the air conditioning device 12 so that the vehicle cabin temperature Td becomes the target temperature T* designated by the user.

[0023] The air conditioning system 10 also has a plurality of lamps 21 and a lamp controller 20. The lamps 21 are lighting devices arranged in the vehicle compartment for decoration or information transmission. Figure 2 As shown, the lamp decoration 21 includes a driver's seat lamp decoration 21 a installed on the driver's seat door 30 , a passenger's seat lamp decoration 21 b installed on the passenger's seat door 32 , and a center lamp decoration 21 c installed on the instrument panel center trim component 34 .

[0024] Each lighting fixture 21 includes a lighting light-emitting body 22. The lighting light-emitting body 22 can change the color of light emitted. For example, the lighting light-emitting body 22 has a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip, and the color of light emitted is changed by changing the current flowing through each LED chip. The multiple lighting fixtures 21 can be lit synchronously with each other, or can be lit independently of each other. For example, it can also be set that the driver's seat lighting 21a and the passenger seat lighting 21b are lit synchronously with the same color. In addition, as another method, the passenger seat lighting 21b can also be not synchronized with the driver's seat lighting 21a, but can be lit at a different timing and with a different color from the driver's seat lighting 21a.

[0025] The lighting controller 20 controls the lighting and luminous color of the lighting luminous body 22. The lighting controller 20 is physically a computer having a processor and a memory. In this example, when the user instructs to turn on the air-conditioning-linked lighting control, the lighting controller 20 controls the lighting and luminous color of the lighting luminous body 22 according to the difference between the set temperature Ts stored in the memory and the cabin temperature Td notified from the temperature sensor 16.

[0026] Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the control process of such a lighting controller 20. Figure 3 As shown, the lighting controller 20 monitors the air-conditioning-linked lighting control and the on / off status of the air-conditioning (S10, S12). If the user does not instruct to turn on the air-conditioning-linked lighting control (No in S10), or if the user does not instruct to turn on the air-conditioning (No in S12), the lighting controller 20 does not perform the control described below.

[0027] On the other hand, when the air-conditioning-linked lighting control is turned on and the air-conditioning is turned on (yes in S10 and yes in S12), the lighting controller 20 compares the target temperature T* notified from the air-conditioning controller 18 with the set temperature Ts stored in the memory (S14). When the result of the comparison is that the target temperature T* and the set temperature Ts are different (no in S14), the lighting controller 20 updates the value of the set temperature Ts stored in the memory to Ts=T* (S16). On the other hand, when the target temperature T* and the set temperature Ts are the same (yes in S14), the lighting controller 20 does not change the set temperature Ts stored in the memory, and enters step S20.

[0028] In step S20, the lighting controller 20 compares the cabin temperature Td with the set temperature Ts (S20, S24). When the comparison result shows that the cabin temperature Td is lower than the set temperature Ts by more than the allowable difference ΔT* (yes in S20), the lighting controller 20 causes the lighting luminous body 22 to emit light in the first color (S22). In addition, the allowable difference ΔT* is a predetermined value, such as a value of about 1°C to 4°C. In addition, the first color is a warm color, such as orange.

[0029] Here, the situation where the cabin temperature Td is lower than the set temperature Ts by more than the allowable difference ΔT*, that is, Td≤Ts-ΔT*, mainly occurs shortly after the heating operation starts. In this case, the air-conditioning device 12 delivers heated air into the cabin to make the cabin temperature Td close to the target temperature T* (=set temperature Ts). In this way, in order to convey to the user that warm air is being supplied, when Td≤Ts-ΔT*, the lighting controller 20 causes the lighting light-emitting body 22 to emit light in a warm color. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp the status of the air conditioner, especially the difference between the target temperature T* and the cabin temperature Td.

[0030] When the vehicle compartment temperature Td is higher than the set temperature Ts by the allowable difference ΔT* (Yes in S24), the lighting controller 20 causes the lighting luminous body 22 to emit light in the second color (S26). The second color is a cool color, such as light blue.

[0031] Here, the situation where the cabin temperature Td is higher than the set temperature Ts by more than the allowable difference ΔT*, that is, Td ≥ Ts + ΔT*, mainly occurs shortly after the cooling operation starts. In this case, the air-conditioning device 12 delivers cooled air into the cabin to make the cabin temperature Td close to the target temperature T* (= set temperature Ts). In this way, in order to convey to the user that cold air is being supplied, when Td ≥ Ts + ΔT*, the lighting controller 20 causes the lighting light-emitting body 22 to emit light in a cold color. As a result, the user can intuitively grasp the status of the air conditioner, especially the difference between the target temperature T* and the cabin temperature Td.

[0032] On the other hand, when the difference between the cabin temperature Td and the set temperature Ts is less than the allowable difference ΔT* (No in S20 and No in S24), the lighting controller 20 turns off the lighting light 22 (S28). As a result, the user can intuitively understand that the cabin temperature Td is close to the set temperature Ts. In addition, in the case of |Ts-Td|<ΔT*, the lighting light 22 may be left unturned and made to emit light in a third color. In such a case, the third color is an intermediate color between the first color and the second color, such as white. In this case, the user can also intuitively understand that the cabin temperature Td is close to the set temperature Ts.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of changes in the lighting state of the lighting light emitting body 22 during the heating operation. Figure 4 The upper part shows the change of the cabin temperature Td. Figure 4 The lower part of shows the lighting condition of the lighting fixture luminous body 22 in warm colors. Figure 4 In the upper part, the thick dotted line represents the set temperature Ts (and thus the target temperature T*).

[0034] exist Figure 4 At time t1, the heating operation starts. At this time, the cabin temperature Td is much lower than the set temperature Ts. Therefore, the air conditioning controller 18 controls the air conditioning device 12 to supply heated air to the cabin. In addition, since Td≤Ts-ΔT*, the lighting controller 20 lights the lighting luminous body 22 in a warm color. As a result, the user can intuitively understand that heating is currently in progress.

[0035] exist Figure 4 In the example, by continuing the heating operation, the cabin temperature Td rises slowly, and at time t2, the difference between the cabin temperature Td and the set temperature Ts becomes less than the allowable difference ΔT*. When this state is reached, the lighting controller 20 turns off the lighting light 22. As a result, the user can intuitively understand that the cabin temperature Td has roughly reached the set temperature Ts.

[0036] exist Figure 4 In the example, then, at time t3, the user changes the target temperature T* from T1 to T2. Along with this, the set temperature Ts is also changed from T1 to T2, and becomes Td≤Ts-ΔT* again. Therefore, in such a case, the lighting controller 20 turns on the lighting light 22 in a warm color again. Then, at time t4, when the difference between the cabin temperature Td and the changed set temperature Ts=T2 is less than the allowable difference ΔT*, the lighting light 22 is turned off. In this way, the lighting state of the lighting light 22 is changed according to the difference between the set temperature Ts and the cabin temperature Td, so that the user can intuitively grasp the working state of the air-conditioning device 12.

[0037] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting state of the lighting luminous body 22 during cooling operation. Figure 5 At time t1, cooling operation starts. At this time, the cabin temperature Td is much higher than the set temperature Ts. Therefore, the air conditioning controller 18 controls the air conditioning device 12 to supply cooled air to the cabin. In addition, since Td≥Ts+ΔT*, the lighting controller 20 lights the lighting light 22 in a cool color. As a result, the user can intuitively understand that cooling is currently in progress.

[0038] exist Figure 5 In the example of , at time t2, the user then increases the target temperature T* from T1 to T2. Along with this, the set temperature Ts is also changed from T1 to T2. Figure 5In the example, due to the rise in the set temperature Ts, the difference between the cabin temperature Td and the set temperature Ts becomes less than the allowable difference ΔT*. Therefore, in this case, the lighting controller 20 turns off the lighting light 22 at time t2. As a result, the user can intuitively understand that the cabin temperature Td has roughly reached the set temperature Ts.

[0039] As can be seen from the above description, according to this example, since the lighting state of the illumination light emitting body 22 is switched according to the difference between the target temperature T* and the vehicle compartment temperature Td, the user can intuitively grasp the operating status of the air conditioner.

[0040] In the existing lighting controller 20, the target temperature T* is confirmed periodically (for example, every 1000 msec), and the set temperature Ts stored in the memory is updated each time the confirmation is performed. However, in this case, the number of times the lighting controller 20 rewrites the memory will increase, and the load on the lighting controller 20 will be large. On the other hand, if the target temperature T* is set to 0, the target temperature T* will be updated every time the confirmation is performed. Figure 3 As can be seen from steps S14 and S16, in this example, the set temperature Ts stored in the memory is changed only when the target temperature T* is changed. This can reduce the number of times the memory of the lighting controller 20 is rewritten, thereby reducing the load on the lighting controller 20.

[0041] In addition, Figure 3 In the embodiment, although the set temperature Ts and the target temperature T* are compared periodically, the comparison between the two can also be performed only when the target temperature T* is changed by the user. For example, the air conditioning controller 18 or the input device 14 sends a change signal indicating this situation to the lighting controller 20 only when the user sets the target temperature T*. The lighting controller 20 can compare the set temperature Ts and the target temperature T* only when it receives the change signal. By setting it to this structure, the number of comparison judgments performed by the lighting controller 20 can be reduced, thereby further reducing the load of the lighting controller 20.

[0042] In addition, the above-mentioned air-conditioning-linked lighting control can be performed independently for each area of ​​the vehicle cabin. For example, the following situation is considered, that is, although the difference between the cabin temperature Td of the driver's seat area and the set temperature Ts of the driver's seat area is less than the allowable difference ΔT*, the difference between the cabin temperature Td of the front passenger seat area and the set temperature Ts of the front passenger seat area is greater than the allowable difference ΔT*. In such a case, the lighting controller 20 can turn off the lighting light 22 of the driver's seat lighting 21a, but light up the lighting light 22 of the front passenger seat lighting 21b with a predetermined color. In addition, as another method, multiple lighting lights 22 can also always be lit synchronously with the same color and the same timing.

[0043] Furthermore, in this example, when the difference between the cabin temperature Td and the set temperature Ts is greater than the allowable difference ΔT*, the lighting luminous body 22 is continuously lit with a predetermined color. In other words, in this example, the color of the lighting luminous body 22 is not frequently changed. As a result, the number of judgment processing and signal switching of the lighting controller 20 can be reduced, thereby further reducing the load of the lighting controller 20. However, it is of course also possible to change the luminous color of the lighting luminous body 22 according to the size of the difference temperature ΔT between the cabin temperature Td and the set temperature Ts. For example, the lower the cabin temperature Td is compared to the set temperature Ts, the lower the color temperature of the luminous color (i.e., the closer to red), and the higher the cabin temperature Td is compared to the set temperature Ts, the higher the color temperature of the luminous color (i.e., the closer to blue). By setting this structure, the user can intuitively grasp the size of the difference between the cabin temperature Td and the set temperature Ts.

[0044] In addition, the structure described above is only an example. As long as the structure described in the means for solving the problem is provided, other structures can be changed. For example, the luminous color of the lighting luminous body 22 can be appropriately changed. In addition, the position and number of the lighting 21 can also be appropriately changed.

[0045] Explanation of symbols

[0046] 10…vehicle air conditioning system; 12…air conditioning device; 14…input device; 16…temperature sensor; 18…air conditioning controller; 20…lighting controller; 21…lighting; 22…illuminant for lighting; 30…driver’s door; 32…passenger’s door; 34…center trim component of instrument panel; T*…target temperature; Td…cabin temperature; Ts…set temperature; ΔT*…allowable difference.

Claims

1. A vehicle air conditioning system, characterized in that: have: an air conditioning device, which performs air conditioning on the vehicle compartment; an air conditioning controller that controls the air conditioning device so that the cabin temperature reaches a target temperature; One or more lighting illuminants, which are arranged on at least one of the driver's door, the front passenger door, and the center interior trim component of the instrument panel; A lighting controller controls one or more lighting illuminants. The air conditioning controller notifies the lighting controller of the target temperature regularly or irregularly. When the set temperature stored in the memory is different from the notified target temperature, the lighting controller changes the set temperature to the target temperature. When the air conditioning device is performing air conditioning, the lighting controller causes the one or more lighting light-emitting bodies to light up in a first color when the vehicle cabin temperature is lower than a currently stored set temperature by a predetermined value or more, and causes the one or more lighting light-emitting bodies to light up in a second color different from the first color when the vehicle cabin temperature is higher than the set temperature by a predetermined value or more.

2. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first color is a warm color. The second color is a cool color.

3. The vehicle air conditioning system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one or more lighting luminous bodies are provided on at least one of the driver's door and the passenger's door.

4. The vehicle air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the difference between the set temperature and the cabin temperature is less than a predetermined value, the lighting controller turns off the one or more lighting lights, or turns on the one or more lighting lights in a third color different from the first color and the second color.

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